Face Mask Heaven

Recently I've been looking for some kind of skin regime as I've never really had one and my skin is terrible. Yesterday I was complaining about my oily and blocked pores when my dad saunters off to his room and comes back with a tube of Soap and Glory No Clogs Allowed Deep Pore Detox Mask and simply mutters the words 'Don't Ask'. I was impressed with his choice, and pleasantly surprised as I love the Soap and Glory range but have never been able to afford it, so I couldn't wait to try. 

Just before bed I decided to give it a go. I loved reading the instructions, as with any Soap and Glory products, they are always funny and quirky. After applying and scrubbing into my face the 'grape-sized' amount needed, your skin quickly gets a heated sensation as it starts to take effect, this was intensified by the tiny exfoliating beads and 'skin smoothing scrub stuff' as they put it. This was very weird but oddly pleasurable as it felt like a reaction was happening, in a good way. After leaving it on for about 4 minutes, it had dried and gone a funny blue colour, which was supposed to happen apparently. I washed it off and gently towel dried my face. Although I couldn't see much difference to make skin straight away, the feel of my skin was instantly softer, not oily, and refreshed. 

I asked my dad how much this miracle face mask in a tube was and of course he didn't know, so after a bit of scoping on the Boots website my heart dropped as I found it was £11. This may be a bit of a dip into the student pocket but as my dad rightly pointed out, a 'grape-sized' amount used each time is hardly much so it will last a good few months which made it seem more worth it, especially thinking about how much nicer my skin will become with every use. 

Today I head back to Uni, upon giving the tube back to my Dad he said 'no, its alright, you can have it,' I was ecstatic. 

Moral of this story, if you can fish around for £11 I would definitely invest in this product, my skin feels illuminated and my pores feel unblocked and minimised (well, on their way) and if you can't, why not see what your Dad has in his bathroom cupboard, you might find something worth trying!

Nails that Sparkle

The other day I was browsing through the make-up section in Boots and I can never resist picking up some nail polish. This time the choice was Models Own Juicy Jules in silver, I tried it as soon as I got home (below) over a coat of Pink Grapefruit 17 lasting finish, and I was really happy with the results!

After a few days they are all still in tact which is a bonus considering I'm really hard on my nails!

I love the sparkly effect and it adds a bit of something extra to your favourite colour, and at £5 a bottle it's definitely worth it!

Boohoo Blazers

The day after my Office Girl post and Boohoo have done a feature about blazers on their Facebook page. I was quite spooked so I decided to share it with you! Below are a few of their tips on how to work a blazer according to your body shape. They are always putting things up like this on their Facebook page so I strongly suggest liking them if you already haven't!

http://www.facebook.com/BoohooOfficial 

Office Girl

 For the past three weeks I have been doing a bit of work experience in a couple of offices. I don't have a very smart wardrobe so when I found out the dress code was 'smart-casual' I hit a bit of a dilemma. Despite my lack of pencil skirts and fitted suits in my closet, I do have a good selection of blazers. Whilst putting outfits together I realised how easy it is to smarten up a look with the add of a blazer. Below are a few pictures (rubbish Photo Booth quality) of some of my office looks with three different blazers from my wardrobe. I actually got snapped in the top one for a street style blogger so I'm guessing the look worked!

 I teamed my shiny black Topshop Skinnies with a Blanco printed top and my black blazer.

 I chose coloured burgundy Topshop jeans with a simple black top and my cotton pink blazer.

 Finally, I put my blue H and M jeans with a navy top with my tweed H and M blazer.

 Simple Black 

 Drape Pale Cotton

Dashing Tweed

I created this mood board (below) on the Polyvore website to highlight a few of my favourite blazers of the season. I went for the two biggest shades that are trending, Bold & Pastels with a mixture of stand out tones from each.

 Topshop, Zara and H and M all have a great selection all at good value so even if your not strutting round the office photocopying things, I think a blazer is a must have for this spring/summer. Its easy to co ordinate and it's something light to slip over any outfit. 

Office Girl by emilyrodgers18 featuring a slim fit blazer

The Fabergé Big Egg Hunt

The Fabergé Big Egg Hunt has been on since February, with over 200 crafted eggs from designers, artists, architects and jewellers placed around London. From uber arty to frivolously funny, here are just a few of my favourites from this years entries. Visit the website for a look at more inspirational eggs. Bidding ends tomorrow! 

All images taken from http://www.thebigegghunt.co.uk/

Egg & Soldiers

Mulberry 

Teflon

Mary Katrantzou 

Stud 

Hannah Martin 

Egg Lantine 

Yuka Aruga

Tree of Life

Isharya for Wolf and Badger

Egg Letter Box

Benjamin Shine

 Panda The BlackRock Asian Egg
Jessica Graham

The Egg Projection

Bellerby Globemakers 

Jill Berelowitz

 Anima Mundi - 'Awakening the soul of the world'

Jason Bruges Studio

Chicken

Where's Wally? 

Martin Handford

MOONBOW

BULL

When I Grow Up

Anna Masters

Wear Britain

The Queens Jubilee and the Olympic hype is hitting the high street. Now is the time to be proud to be British! Special events like these only come around so often, so of course we have to do what we do best and celebrate in style! Its the Royal wedding all over again with shops such as Primark, Next, New Look and Selfridges stacking the shelves with Union Jacks! Events like these don't happen in an instant, so its no wonder fashion has taken a patriotic hit! The usual gifts are knocking about, wigs, umbrellas, mugs phone covers, but if you don't want to dress head to toe in Rule Britannia, here are a few kitschy gadgets to really get into the English Spirit!

www.newlook.com

www.selfridges.com

Alexander McQueen Clutch www.selfridges.com

www.next.com

Henry the Hoover www.next.com

www.next.com

Are they clogging up the shelf space? Or should our stylish selves grit our teeth and purchase a lovely maxi length flag dress?
Let's face it, no one pulls off the Union Jack like Made in Chelsea's Ollie Locke.

 So roll out the Bunting and tea cakes because this year it's all about Britain!

Summer Hibernation

It's that time of year when the birds start singing, the leaves start growing and we loose an hour in bed. The breeze is becoming warmer which means its time to hang up the jumpers, the big boots and put away the umbrellas (until Aprils Showers). 

www.gettyimages.com

For me, this is especially hard as I am having to wave goodbye to my (fake) fur coat. Bought on ebay for a meer £60 (I was ecstatic!) this acrylic mink beauty has seen me through two good winters, and being a classic winter coat, hopefully many more. 

The timeless fur look, when worn right, makes a person just look and feel glamourous. Practical and stylish, this coat has been with me through the best winter memories, suffering its fair share of rips and tears. 

(www.gettyimages.com)

The thing I love most? Even after a hefty few dry cleaning sessions, it still has that musty, old smell, which, odd as it is, I just love!

So I guess its good bye my bulging fur friend, I will miss you! Hello tribal shorts and aviators!

(Outside the Manchester Christmas Markets)

What Fashion Winter Loves are you saying goodbye to for summer?